Chapter 107: Dancing on Christmas Night
At seven in the evening, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue arrived at the nightclub. Since it was Christmas, the place was decorated festively, with a Christmas tree adorned with lights.
As night fell, guests started to pour in, and the atmosphere began to heat up. Suddenly, a Santa Claus appeared in front of them, lowering his voice, “Hey there, would you like a gift, pretty lady?”
“No, thank you. We’re here for… Xu Xiaodong?!”
Santa laughed heartily, “Surprised?”
“Why are you dressed like that?”
“Well, I had to investigate anyway, and the temporary worker here couldn’t make it, so I volunteered. Pretty impressive, right?”
“Not really… Have you found anything?”
“Yeah, Kong Tingting used to come here often, so the owner knows her. He said that around the 10th of this month, she seemed down one night, drank a lot of hard liquor, and a stranger took her home. She hasn’t been back since.”
“Taken home by a stranger?”
Chen Shi explained, “It’s when a girl gets drunk at a club, and a guy takes her home for the night. Predators call it ‘picking up a corpse.'”
Lin Dongxue’s face twitched. “That’s so unsafe. Doesn’t she have any sense of caution?”
“Good girls can’t understand bad girls’ thoughts,” Chen Shi said.
Lin Dongxue asked Xu Xiaodong, “Did the owner remember anything about the guy who took her?”
“The owner said he was tall, about six feet, skinny, wearing a white shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap. He couldn’t remember his face.”
“Where are we going to find him?” Lin Dongxue fretted.
“We’ll just keep looking!”
The three of them wandered around the club, looking for men matching the description, but none recognized the girl in the photo.
Nightclubs are places with more men than women, and Lin Dongxue’s looks and figure attracted a lot of unwanted attention. Annoyed by the constant advances, she teamed up with Chen Shi. When they got tired, they ordered three drinks and took a break.
Lin Dongxue complained, “This place isn’t for me.”
“Same here,” Xu Xiaodong said. “I’d rather be home playing games.”
“I come here occasionally,” Chen Shi admitted.
Lin Dongxue made a disdainful face. “Like those guys, hitting on every girl they see?”
“I just come for the drinks. As for the rest, I leave it to fate.”
“Got any stories, Brother Chen?” Xu Xiaodong’s curiosity was piqued.
“No, I’m an honest man!”
“You’re lying!” Lin Dongxue immediately called him out.
The music started, and people cleared a space for dancing. A man in a red shirt walked over and extended his hand to Lin Dongxue, saying something she couldn’t hear over the loud music.
Lin Dongxue was stunned and grabbed a handful of popcorn to put in his hand.
Xu Xiaodong burst out laughing, “He’s asking you to dance.”
Lin Dongxue showed her badge, “Sorry, we’re here on business.”
The man laughed, “Dancing won’t interfere with that. Don’t cops have nightlife?”
Lin Dongxue was amused and irritated by his boldness. Just as she was thinking of how to refuse, Chen Shi stood up, taking her hand. “Sorry, she’s dancing with me.”
The man backed off, “My bad.”
Chen Shi led Lin Dongxue to the dance floor. People were already dancing to the music. Lin Dongxue was nervous. “I don’t know how!”
“You can learn. Just follow my lead… Give me your hand.”
Shyly, Lin Dongxue took Chen Shi’s hand, and they started to move to the rhythm. Encouraged by Chen Shi’s reassuring smile, she gradually relaxed and let herself go in the vibrant atmosphere.
Dancing was physically demanding. Lin Dongxue’s body heated up, and her heart pounded. When Chen Shi spun her around and pulled her into his arms, her heartbeat soared. In the dim light, his slightly stubbled face looked more handsome than usual.
When the song ended, dancers left the floor, and Lin Dongxue, panting heavily, fanned herself with her hands. Chen Shi asked, “Did you have fun?”
“Not really,” she lied.
“Not really? But you’re smiling so much.”
“That’s because… it’s none of your business!”
After the little dance, they resumed their investigation but stayed until ten without any leads.
The next morning, Chen Shi arrived at the station early. The team investigating Kong Tingting’s social circle had made significant progress. They had photos of her ex-boyfriend, friends, and classmates on a whiteboard, outlining their relationships.
Lin Qiupu briefed everyone, “It’s a heavy task. We need to interview each one.”
Chen Shi said, “That’s too slow.”
Lin Qiupu squinted at him. “Can you stop acting superior? Most investigations are hard work. What’s your bright idea?”
“Check if any of the men she slept with overlap with her personal circle.”
“You think that person is the main suspect?”
“Most likely.”
Lin Qiupu immediately ordered a search. Soon, an officer reported back. “One person appears on both lists. His name is Shao Dahai, a building materials merchant. He had an affair with Kong Tingting and supported her financially.”
Chen Shi asked, “How did it end?”
“Not sure.”
“When Kong Tingting sought revenge on society, she might have included him. They probably had a falling out.”
Lin Qiupu said, “Lao Zhang, you go find Shao Dahai… and you, Chen Shi, check on this guy.” He tossed a photo to Chen Shi.
Chen Shi flipped the photo. On the back was the name “Han Le.” He asked, “What’s his relationship with Kong Tingting?”
“Just a friend. They went to the same university. He pursued her, but she kept him at arm’s length.”
Lin Dongxue peeked at the photo. The guy wasn’t particularly handsome. “I get it, he’s the backup.”
Lin Qiupu clapped his hands. “Let’s get to work. Let’s get results today!”
The three of them went to find Han Le. He worked at a supermarket. When they met him, he was busy scanning items. Chen Shi noted he was about six feet tall and skinny, and a thought crossed his mind. Could it be him?
Lin Dongxue showed her badge. “Hello, we’re the police. We need to ask you some questions.”
“It’s about Kong Tingting, isn’t it?” Han Le said.
“How did you know?”
“I heard about it yesterday. It was sudden, so a few old classmates and I got together to pray for her… I swear, if I find out who did it, I’ll make them pay!” He looked fierce.